Brethren bits:

• A Church of the Brethren medical delegation is working in Haiti next week. The Newsline editor is accompanying the group and if Internet access is available, will be posting to a blog at blog.brethren.org/?p=59 and a photo album at www.brethren.org/site/
  PhotoAlbumUser?view=UserAlbum&AlbumID=10795 (the next regular Newsline will be postponed until April 7). The delegation includes physicians, nurses, a crisis counselor, a psychologist, members of Haitian Brethren communities in Florida and New York, and the Brethren Disaster Ministries coordinator for Haiti. Members of the delegation traveling from the United States are Neslin Augustin, Jeff Boshart, Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, Jonathan Cadette, Jerry Eller, Jean Leroy, Paul Ullom Minnich, Verel Montauban, Kelent Pierre, Litania Sanon, and Lori Zimmerman. Those joining the delegation in Haiti are Evelyn Dick, Klebert Exceus, Dr. Hyacinthe, and Emerson Pierre. The group plans to provide mobile clinics Monday through Friday at locations of Haitian Brethren congregations and preaching points: on March 22 at the Delmas Church; on March 23 at a church in Croix des Missions; on March 24 at the Marin Church; on March 25 at the Léogâne (Tonm Gato) preaching point; and on March 26 at the Croix des Bouquets Church. Go to www.brethren.org/HaitiEarthquake for quick links and updates.
  
  
• A new worship resource provides a meditation on the Family Household Kit for Haiti and an accompanying PowerPoint presentation, available at www.brethren.org/HaitiEarthquake. The Family Household Kit is a new kind of disaster response kit specially designed for Haitian Brethren families and neighbors who lost their homes in the earthquake of Jan. 12. The meditation includes scripture and a focus on the practical uses and spiritual meaning of the items included in the kit, with a PowerPoint showing pictures of kit items.
  
  
• Bethany Theological Seminary is featuring Dr. Martin Marty as the main speaker at the Presidential Forum on April 9-10 (www.bethanyseminary.edu/forum2010 or call 765-983-1823). Marty is distinguished service professor emeritus at the University of Chicago and columnist for "The Christian Century," and give two plenaries on the topics "The Demands of the Stranger: Un-Angelic-Looking Other" and "The Gifts of the Stranger: The Other as Angelic Presence." Other leadership will represent the three Historic Peace Churches. A play exploring the issue of immigration, "Man from Magdalena" by Earlham School of Religion student Patty Willis, will be presented as part of the forum, which also includes times of worship and small group discussion. Registration costs $75, or $25 for students. Go to www.bethanyseminary.edu/forum2010.
  
  
• Remember to register for National Youth Conference (NYC) prior to April 5. Register today at www.brethren.org/nycreg for $450. If you already are registered, remember to pay the registration balance by April 5. To register after April 5 or if you have questions, please contact the NYC Office at 800-323-8039 ext. 246.
  
  
• The New Church Planting Conference on the theme, "Plant Generously, Reap Bountifully," is an event of the Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Ministries and Bethany Seminary. It is held May 20-22 on the seminary campus in Richmond, Ind. The scripture, "I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6), will guide experiences of worship, keynote addresses, workshops, small group conversations, networking, and community outreach. For the first time, the conference offers a workshop track for Spanish-speaking planters and leaders along with translation of keynote addresses and general sessions. Register at www.brethren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grow_church_planting_2010_conference.
  
  
• Corrections to previous issues of Newsline:
  • In the article on an upcoming film showing at Bethany Seminary, the Newsline editor added to the original announcement a detail that may be incorrect: according to the Brethren Historical Library and Archives, although some of William Stafford's close family were members of the Church of the Brethren it has never been documented that he joined the church.
    
    
  • The correct link to register for this year's Song and Story Fest is www.onearthpeace.org/programs/special/song-story-fest/registration.html.
    
    
  • The correct spelling of the name of the co-author of a report on the Creation Care retreat is Brian Paff.
    
    
  • The correct website for Melanie G. Snyder, author of "Grace Goes to Prison," is www.melaniegsnyder.com.

Source: 3/19/2010 Newsline Special